The United Nations put forward the "right to adequate housing" in the early years, stating that adequate housing "is not just about having a roof over your head and four walls, but also living with dignity and security". However, more than 200,000 people in Hong Kong still live in subdivided housing. and other inappropriate accommodation.
A group released today (5th) a "Top Ten Private Housing Standards (Advanced Version)" with a total of 30 criteria, including stable rental relationship, clear fees, separate personal space, clean and hygienic conditions, ensuring unit safety and Clear maintenance rights and responsibilities.
The group pointed out that it hopes to examine the livability of subdivided housing units through research. It also suggested that the government set up a "subdivided housing task force" and set standards for housing with reference to foreign regulations, so as to improve the housing environment of subdivided housing households.
Survey says 96% of respondents believe that independent water and electricity meters are the most important
The Kwai Chung Subdivided Housing Residents Alliance launched the "Top Ten Private Housing Standards" in 2017 and released the "Top Ten Private Housing Standards (Advanced Version)" today. During June to July this year, the members of the alliance cooperated with A total of 57 neighbors from 9 housing concern organizations conducted focus group interviews, discussed 50 housing standards, and then used online questionnaires and paper questionnaires to give 202 unsuitable residences (including private buildings, subdivisions, industrial buildings Households, subdivided houses on unauthorised platforms, rooftop houses, prefab houses, etc.) voted, and the final 30 criteria were obtained as a result.
The survey results show that 96% of the respondents believe that it is most important to install an independent water and electricity meter in the unit, and 78.2% of the respondents hope that the water and electricity charges should be listed in the lease agreement and the lease. The per capita living area advocated by the top ten private standards is not less than 70 feet away, and 82.7% of residents want to have a separate sleeping space.
The air extraction of independent kitchens and toilets and kitchen and toilets were also concerned by residents, accounting for 88.6% and 82.2% respectively.
The basic structure of subdivided housing units is also a major problem. 88.6% of the respondents believe that it is very important to prevent water from leaking in the rain, and 77.2% of the subdivided housing households voted that clear maintenance responsibilities and maintenance periods should be specified in the lease agreement.
The Alliance pointed out that since 2017, the living environment of subdivided housing residents has not improved significantly in the past five years, and there are still many loopholes in the tenancy control, overcharging water bill and rent subsidies implemented by the government in recent years. Few departments take the initiative to enforce the law, resulting in only one prosecution case for overcharging water charges in the past six months, and many subdivided housing tenants have not been protected.
The alliance also pointed out that the government's response to the protection of the living environment of subdivided housing households, such as sanitation, housing space and maintenance responsibilities, is still "zero".
The owner refused to maintain the unit regularly, causing the unit to be dilapidated and pointed out: Can you live there?
Neighbor Xing Jie said that she lives in a small "secret room" subdivided room, originally designed as a storage room, without windows, and still needs a monthly rent of 4,000 yuan in poor environment. The owner's words: "Hey, la la, can you live here?"" The owner also asked not to cook, and Sister Xing had to "eat a lunch box" most of the time; the weather has been very hot recently, so she only uses an electric fan to relieve the heat in order to save electricity bills. There are many red rashes on the body, which is very troublesome.
"Even if you have social housing, you can only live in a few years, and you may not wait until you get a place (public housing), and then you will have to move to another place, and you may have to live in subdivided housing again... I hope the government will pay attention to it and not wait for us. A handful of people are helpless."
Another neighbor, Mr. Weng, pointed out that he lives alone in a "one sub five" unit with a rent of about 3,000 yuan. Although there is a separate kitchen and toilet, the exhaust fan, range hood, and air conditioner in the room have long been broken. That’s right, but it’s because of the jump switch (electric box) for me to cook noodles. I’ve been living in 3 years to replace 7 cooking stoves! (Due to the jump switch) Moreover, the sanitation of the subdivided houses is very poor, and sewage is poured back from time to time; he also pointed out that the lease agreement states that the electricity fee is 1.5 yuan per hour and the water fee is 15 yuan per hour, but the first 12 cubic meters of water consumption is generally free. should be enjoyed.
The Kwai Chung Subdivided Housing Residents Alliance pointed out that different countries and regions have implemented the United Nations conventions and established regulations for housing standards or the right to adequate housing. It will be classified as an indecent residence; in the Netherlands, there are regulations that kitchens cannot "invade" living spaces, etc.
The Alliance suggests that the government should set up a "Subdivided Housing Task Force" to study Hong Kong's housing issues and coordinate with other government departments. At the same time, refer to foreign regulations to gradually amend the regulations to set standards for housing. For example, kitchens and toilets in units must be separated and have suitable Distance, per capita area, lighting and ventilation, etc., to improve the housing environment at the grass-roots level.
Tongxin Village｜Single mother first-time learning to cut faster than the "guest" who appreciates the sweetness and enters the industry and is determined to increase Lefu's planned public housing project to be completed in 2028 Learned massage from the blind, lived in a subdivided room, did not believe in fate, achieved Erhu Master Dream, lived in a subdivided room in the east, endured poverty and sent bone supplements to the elderly.
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